InterviewFocus Logo InterviewFocus Retina Logo
  • Why InterviewFocus
  • Services
  • Try It For Free
  • Log in

How To Dress For An Interview: 8 Tips For What To Wear

Home/Everything/How To Dress For An Interview: 8 Tips For What To Wear
How To Dress For An Interview: 8 Tips For What To Wear
  • College
  • Early Career
  • Everything
  • Internship

How To Dress For An Interview: 8 Tips For What To Wear

21822 Oct 7th, 2021 / 3 minutes for reading / 2698
  • View Larger Image

What is one tip for determining what to wear in an interview?

To help you dress your best for your next interview, we asked business professionals and leaders this question for their insights. From taking note of the company’s culture to asking about the dress code, there are several tips so you could dress for success. 

Here are eight tips to determine what to wear to an interview:

  • Pay Attention to Detail
  • Confidence is Key 
  • Do your Homework
  • Take Note of the Company Culture
  • Play It Safe With a Crisp Style
  • See What Others Wear to Work
  • Check the Website for Details
  • Ask for the Dress Code

 

Pay Attention to Detail

Remember that your interview outfit is more than just what you’re wearing; it’s also about your entire persona. As a result, pay close attention to the details. Make sure your hands and nails are clean, your hairstyle is neat, and you are wearing minimal makeup. Also, double-check that your chosen attire is clean, pressed, and free of loose threads at the seams.

Phillip Lew, C9 Staff

 

Confidence is Key  

Interviews are a stressful part of the job search process. So, if you’ve landed an interview, congratulations! Your hard work has paid off so far. With that being said, my best interview tip is to dress in what makes you feel most confident. This may be dressing for the role you’ve always wanted, wearing something that shows off your personality, or anything that helps you radiate confidence. Portraying confidence shows that you believe in yourself and are ready for others to believe in you as well.

Adrian James, Markitors

 

Do your Homework

First and foremost, make sure that you get an understanding of the company dress code before you show up in the wrong attire. Step number one is to figure out if you’re showing up in a suit, slacks, or sandals (you never know). Dressing for your interview in accordance with the company’s dress code demonstrates that you’ve done your homework.

That said, don’t be afraid to express yourself with your choice of clothes! The whole purpose of an interview is for an employer to get a sense of who you are. It’s okay to leverage what you wear to help you do that. As a candidate your number one goal is to stand out from the rest and I believe what you wear is an underutilized way to accomplish that. You don’t have to be just another suit in the room. Add some flare, be you, and make a statement!

Zack McCarty, Qwick

 

Take Note of the Company Culture

One tip is gauging the culture of the company you’re applying to. Is it a startup with a casual vibe? Or is it a Fortune 500? Each of those has unique styles. That said, regardless of the company, you should always look your best and dress respectfully and professionally. If it’s an in-person interview, even if it’s a tech start-up, business casual is the least formal you should wear to an interview. For more formal interviews, dress in a full business suit and present your best self to your future employer.

Darren Litt, MarketerHire

 

Play It Safe With a Crisp Style

When in doubt stick with monotone colors and professional clothes. If the company allows business casuals, maybe drop the suit or overly formal dresses. If it is a start-up or a company accepting casual clothes, a clean and crisp pair of jeans might also work. It is always better to be dressed more professionally in a casual workplace than to be more casual in a corporate one. Remember to wear crisp, stylish and comfortable clothes, but not to go overboard with fashion or accessories.

Joe Flanagan, VelvetJobs

 

See What Others Wear to Work

Take a look at employee and executive photos on LinkedIn to get a feel for the corporate culture. Is it casual, or do you see formal business attire? You can also look at the Careers section of the employer website to get more ideas. In addition, it’s generally good practice to dress slightly more formal than usual for your interviews, as this shows that you’re taking a serious interest in the job.

Laura Smith-Proulx, An Expert Resume

 

Check the Website for Details

You want to fit the culture of the company who is hiring. A way to do that if you do not already know people working for that company, is go to their website and see how they present themselves and their staff in different positions. Also if you are not sure, dress less casual and more formal. Today that may mean wear a sport jacket and tie, or no tie. Be neat in your appearance, watch your posture, it effects your energy level and positive state of mind. Go for it!

Bob Ruotolo, Quantum Performance Institute

 

Ask for the Dress Code

It’s really simple, and not at all off putting, to ask for insights regarding a company dress culture. When scheduling the interview you can simply say, “I know some offices are formal and others are really casual these days. Can you give me an idea of what would be most appropriate for me to wear to the interview?” Asking means you won’t feel awkward when you walk into the office. Show that you’re confident, get the information you need and then your outfit won’t even be a factor in the interview.

Logan Mallory, Motivosity

 

Terkel creates community-driven content featuring expert insights. Sign up at terkel.io to answer questions and get published. 

 

Post Views: 2,698

Related Articles

  • How Can I Pass a Call Center Interview?

    41163 May 30th, 2023 / 3 mins for reading / 11

    How Can I Pass a Call Center Interview? To help you ace your call center job interview, we've gathered invaluable advice from CEOs, HR managers, ...

  • What Are Good DevOps Interview Questions?

    41049 May 23rd, 2023 / 3 mins for reading / 35

    What Are Good DevOps Interview Questions? To help you identify the best candidates for a DevOps role, we've gathered 12 insightful interview questions from experienced ...

  • How Do You Handle Time Management?

    40932 May 15th, 2023 / 3 mins for reading / 132

    How Do You Handle Time Management? To help you ace your next interview, we've gathered 11 expert tips on how to answer the question, "How ...

  • Why InterviewFocus
  • Services
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Get the latest news, sign up for our newsletter

© 2021 InterviewFocus. All Rights Reserved

FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW AND WE WILL EMAIL YOU OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW TIPS CHECKLIST